I welcome the uachtarán, his wife Barbara, children Conor and Shane and the rest of his family. I welcome also the GAA officials and everyone who is here with the him. I welcome him as a proud member of Castlemitchell Gaelic Football Club in Athy, County Kildare. The Cathaoirleach has already referred to it, but it is especially pleasant to stand here today after our victory in retaining our Leinster under-20 championship against the Dubs last night. It was a particularly brilliant match. I watched it last night on…

We even have Hollywood copying us now and that shows the power of the GAA as well. I use this opportunity to say comhghairdeas to a good friend of mine and fellow Athy person, Hilda Breslin, uachtarán of the Camogie Association. Integration and how important it will be has been mentioned and the uachtarán has led on that, but I wish Mary McAleese the very best. It is important this happens for the reasons many Members have outlined. It was 20 years ago I got involved in coaching my club's first ladies football team…

I welcome the Tánaiste to the House to discuss this important report and the urgent actions needed to address the major and worrying concerns raised throughout the report. As colleagues have said, it is right that the report also acknowledges that the Defence Forces have a proud and rich legacy that is recognised and highly respected at home and abroad. It is a legacy on which many in the Defence Forces have worked hard to develop. Many are rightly proud of their service in building that reputation. It is always im…

I support colleagues who raised yesterday's independent review group report on the Defence Forces. I thank again the Women of Honour and our colleague, Senator Clonan, on the considerable work they have done recently on what is, as I said yesterday, a national disgrace. It is important that we mention what the report findings are. The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence called this "a watershed moment" and that is correct. The findings show that of the 527 people spoken to, one third of respondents experienced harass…

I, too, welcome the Minister to the House. The lifting of the no-fault eviction ban is the most important issue I deal with at this time. I welcome the opportunity to discuss it with him this evening. As someone with community clinics, I can tell him that the ban is the number one topic in Kildare South this week. At clinics in Newbridge, Kildare town, Monasterevin and Athy, people wanted to discuss the lifting of the ban. They basically wanted to know where they are to go. That is the number one issue. The issue i…

I can only tell the Minister. He is telling me that and I am sure he is going to get a reply back. However, this is what I was told and other Members of this House were at that meeting as well. I was told there was no co-operation between local authorities in regard to that situation. I know of two people under stress in that case and, as the Minister knows, many people come from the Dublin local authorities to Kildare, where I am, and I am getting calls from them. If the Minister has some information on that, he s…

I support Senator Ó Donnghaile's call for a debate on the eviction ban. I have received numerous phone calls this morning and last night. It is important that someone from the Government come to the House to discuss where these people are going to go. I dealt with families this morning who were in tears. I have contacted the local authority, but there are no places for them. I would appreciate it if someone from the Government attended the House as soon as possible to discuss what is happening with housing. People …

Before Senator Dooley starts, I will welcome visitors from St. Joseph's National School from Bekan in County Mayo, who are with Deputy Dillon today. I hope they enjoy their stay.

I support Senator Gavan’s call for that debate. What he read into the record is horrific. I think all Members would support such a debate as soon as possible. I also support Senator Malcolm Byrne. The Acting Leader will be familiar with the Defence Forces issues. She raised them a considerable number of times. I support Senator Malcolm Byrne on the navy shortages experienced at the moment. It is time that this House got the chance to debate the commission’s report and also talk about the working time directive, whi…

I welcome the Minister of State. This legislation is both important and welcome. The Labour Party supported it previously and will do so again today. Unfortunately, we are all too aware of the enormous damage done by sex offenders and have thankfully begun to form a better understanding of this damage recently. In recent years, ineffective legislation has begun to be replaced. This has strengthened our laws and allowed for overdue development of support for victims. It is an ongoing process, particularly around the…

I join in condemning the attack on the PSNI officer last night. It is horrific to even contemplate that his son witnessed the attack and that there were so many young people there. As has been said by my two colleagues, that message needs to go out loud and strong. We can never go back. Anyone who has information needs to bring that to the relevant authorities. I also want to support the call from Senator Lombard, not for the first time, for a debate on our Defence Forces. Senator Lombard outlined the issues regard…

The negative impact of Putin's illegal invasion is global and it will be with us for some time to come. As we mark this tragic anniversary, our thoughts must turn to the long-term need to rebuild Ukraine. We must redouble our efforts to create a world free from the kind of energy, food and security challenges that this crisis has done so much to create, just as we must not shy away from our long-term obligation to build a world where no country, no people, no individual will suffer as those in Ukraine have suffered…

I welcome the Minister to the House for this important debate. I also welcome his comments on rail freight, which are important. I look at pictures of the rail network going back 60 or 70 years and the way lines covered the country, compared to what we have now. It shows what we have lost and the potential we had in those times. Rail freight to take juggernauts, etc., out of our towns and villages should be invested in. I am glad the Minister mentioned it. However, I thank him for using one of those old railway lin…

The Minister is due to speak at 1.05 p.m. and three speakers are indicating. Is it agreed they will share the five minutes? Agreed. I call Senator Maria Byrne.

I support the comments that Senator Murphy made about front-line workers. As he will be aware, later on tonight the Labour Party will use its Private Members' time to discuss healthcare workers and the attacks on healthcare staff that have taken place. The Labour Party supports what is sought by the unions and we will discuss the matter later tonight. I wish to use my time to support the comments that Senator Murphy made about gardaí. I support the call made yesterday by the Garda Representative Association, GRA, f…

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Malcolm Noonan.

I welcome representatives of Friends of the Iveagh Markets, who are guests of Senator Seery Kearney. With us today are Lord Iveagh and others. They are very welcome to the debate.

The next speaker is Senator John Cummins. He is taking five minutes and giving three minutes to his colleague. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I assure the Senator that there is nothing wrong with being a culchie any day of the week.

I second the motion.